Goleta Pellet Gun Shooter Ruled Incompetent

Charles Quinn, accused in January of firing a pellet gun at Sheriff’s deputies and others in Goleta, was found incompetent to stand trial by Judge Jean Dandona Thursday.

Quinn will be placed in a mental health facility. Among other charges, he faces three counts of assault on a police officer, one count of second degree robbery, one of assault with the personal use of a deadly weapon, and resisting an executive officer.

Dandona made the decision based on the reports of two psychologists. Both the prosecution and defense, according to prosecutor Mary Barron, agreed the judge could make her ruling based on the reports. Barron said down the road Quinn may be restored to competency so he can face trial.

Quinn allegedly approached a group of people eating ice cream in the Camino Real Marketplace, asking for change. When they did not give him any, he produced a pellet gun and shot at them. Later, when deputies caught up with him, he also fired upon them, injuring two. The deputies returned fire with their handguns.

Quinn spent several days in the hospital following the incident. He will be back in court in coming weeks to be placed into a facility.